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Hamburg is famously known for being Germany's Gateway to the World. It has the country's biggest port, which is also the 2nd busiest in the whole of Europe. This city-state is the nation's 2nd largest city, with a population of 1.8 million residents. Considered to be one of the most affluent cities in the continent, Hamburg is one of the richest metropolitan regions in the European Union.

Geography
Hamburg is found on the south of the Jutland Peninsula, where the Continental Europe is found on the south, Scandinavia in the north, the North Sea to the west, and the Baltic to the north east. The city is divided into 7 boroughs with 104 quarters. It experiences an oceanic climate to due its proximity to the coast.

How to Reach (Transport)

By Plane - The Airport Hamburg-Fuhlsbuttel is the 5th largest international airport in Germany. It has plenty of connections to other European capitals, but only a small number of intercontinental direct flight services.

By Train - There are 5 major train stations in Hamburg: Altona, Dammtor, Bergedorf, Harburg, and the main station Hauptbahnhof. The ICE or Inter City Express provides high speed trains to major cities such as Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, and to international cities of Zurich and Basel. Direct services are also offered to and from Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Aarhus, Copenhagen, and Bratislava.

By U-Bahn and S-Bahn - The easiest and fastest way to commute in and around the city is through the U-Bahn and the S-Bahn. The U-Bhan is the underground rail, with destinations around the city; while the S-Bahn is the overground rail, with services to the suburbs.

By Bus - The central bus station offers services to regional, national, and European destinations. The Nachtbus, which means night bus, offers trips around the city center and to outlying districts.

By Boat - There are 6 ferry lines in the port of Hamburg, with frequent trips offered to Denmark and Sweden. Occasional long trips to Finland, Lithuania, and Russia are also available. Tourist boats are also available at the Lubeck port.

By Taxi - There's a good supply of taxi cabs in the city, available 24/7. You can wait for a cab on the streets under a green box on a post, or you can call one to pick you up.

When to Visit
The best time to visit Hamburg is from May to September, when weather is at its warmest. These are also the months when flights are packed and room rates are high. For a less crowded season to visit, fall is the best alternative option. Room rates are lower and streets are less crowded but the weather can get a bit chilly.

Culture (Fairs and Festivals) and Traditions

Harbour Birthday or Hafengeburtstag - Held annually every year in May, an estimated 1 million people from all around the country and overseas flock to the biggest harbor party in the world. Dozens of stands and stages are set up, creating a party atmosphere by the side of the ocean.

Hamburg Pride Christopher Street Day - This annual LGBT celebration is flocked by tens of thousands of people every year. A list of events occur in its one week celebration, where concerts, bazaars, a street festival, parties, and a parade as the highlight celebrate the city's gay community.

Dockville Music and Art Festival - This is the biggest river island music festival in the world. Held in Wilhemsburg on the island of Elbe, it's a 3-day event of independent music and visual arts. A kids camp and a teenage music and arts festival take place days before the actual event, all packed with workshops and performances for kids and by kids. The actual festival draws in tens of thousands of people who gather together to watch live music and create art.

Points of Interest (Places to Visit)

Hamburg Rathaus - The city's original town hall built in the 1800's, it is still being used today for the very same purpose. It has a total of 647 rooms, with its lobby open to the public for concerts and exhibitions.

St. Micheal's Church - The city's most important architectural landmark, this 18th century cathedral is one of the best examples of Hanseatic Protestant baroque churches in Europe.

The Ruins of St. Nicholas Church - It was once the tallest building in the world from 1874-1876. This Gothic Revival architectural landmark is a sight to see amidst modern buildings that have sprawled around it. The ruins include the tower, the spine, and the crypt, with the tower being the city's 2nd tallest building today.

Accommodation
There are plenty of options for accommodation in Hamburg, with its equal number of budget places to stay and luxury hotels. For the more adventurous traveler, the city offers a good number of camping accommodation, as well as youth hostels for the backpacker.